Coach's Show Recap: Urban Meyer, Mickey Marotti, Ryan Day and Some Players Discuss Last Week's Offensive Explosion, Dwayne Haskins As a Runner, and How The Team is Preparing For Michigan

The Buckeyes host Michigan in a battle for bragging rights, the Big Ten East Championship, and a possible berth in the College Football Playoff. Ohio State enters the game after a close call against Maryland, when the Buckeyes pulled out a 52-51 overtime victory over the Terrapins.

Urban Meyer, Mickey Marotti, Ryan Day and a group of players joined 97.1 The Fan to recap the win over Maryland, and preview the big-time matchup with Michigan.

Urban Meyer

Tim Hortons coffee with the coach question from Betty in Bowling Green, about his experience as an experience as a graduate assistant at Ohio State.

"Yes, it was a very angry, tough, rough hatred type of game," Meyer notes,"but there was a lot of respect."

"This game was here long before us and it will be here long after us," Meyer said. "This is second to none."

On this week

• "This isn't the first time we talk about the rivalry, it's nonstop."
• Meyer said it's all about respect – you respect the game by how much you prepare for it.
• "There's no way you can say anybody works harder for this game than we do, because it's 365."

On the offensive performance last week

• "Last week was probably our best performance."
• Meyer notes that almost 700 yards on offense was due to execution from everyone
• Meyer praised both the running game and the passing game.
• "To have a team that's one dimensional, it's really hard to win the big games."

On Dwayne Haskins' running ability

• "I don't know if we win that game without that."
• "I have a firm belief that we have to be balanced."
• "The best teams are the ones that are balanced."

On the defensive line

• Meyer said "He came back in and helped win us the game."
• "These guys are going to have to play their best."

Injury updates

• Baron Browning, Terry McLaurin and Mike Weber are all cleared to play.
• Thayer Munford is expected to play.

Mickey Marotti

On his relationship with the players

• "I think it starts back when we recruit them."
• Marotti said you get to know everybody involved with them during recruiting.
• "It's going to be hard," Marotti is sure to tell recruits.
• "If you don't work for something, what good is it?," Marotti said.

Is this fun as well?

• "Yeah, it's fun. They gotta know that."
• Marotti said he leans a lot on the seniors and leaders to set the culture.
• "They know when to have fun, they know when to lock in, they know when to focus."

Ryan Day

On Dwayne Haskins running the ball

• "I thought he took a big step."
• Ryan Day said his running was both designed and scrambling
• "He ran with toughness, put his pads down."

On the pass protection on Saturday

• "That was one of the best I've ever been around."
• Ryan Day praised J.K. Dobbins blocking ability as well.
• "So much of the passing game is protection."
• Day said the players embraced that mentality.

On mid-game adjustments

• "So much of your game plan is things you've done throughout the year, things you hang your hat on."
• Day said you start with what you're good at, then make adjustments from there.
• Day said adjustments are based on what the defense shows, who has the hot hand, etc.

On Michigan's defense

• "First off, really good personal. Gary, Winovich and Bush – really good."
• "They have a combination of really good personnel but also a great scheme."
• On Don Brown: "He's really good at what he does."
• "They're very good at fundamentals."

Davon Hamilton

• "We have a lot of young guys that need to play in these games the whole season."
• Hamilton said the depth is especially important on the defensive line.
• "It's really rugged and people get worn down."

On preparing for Michigan

• Davon Hamilton said they do prepare a little differently for Michigan
• "We prepare for this game during the offseason. We have specific workouts for this game."
• "It is different."

Tuf Borland

On what this week is like

• "It's everything. We prepare all year round for it."
• Borland said they start preparing for it early in the winter.
• "We're always thinking about it."

On the rivalry

• Borland notes that he's not from Ohio, and had to be taught about the rivalry.
• It didn't take long for Borland to learn.
• "As soon as you get on campus it's 'beat the team up north.'"

On playing this game at home

• "There's nothing like being at home, especially in the 'Shoe."
• Borland said his mom keeps asking for another pair of Gold Pants

Demetrius Knox

On helping lead three game-tying drives

• "It was unreal. Not necessarily the situation, but because we trusted each other."
• "We felt that no matter what, we were going to overcome it."
• Knox that 105 plays is a lot, but they overcame it.

On a close one against Maryland

• "I think it's a testament to their players."
• Knox said they played hard, regardless of the circumstance.
• "It was a fun game."

On Dwayne Haskins

• "We knew he was going to be really good."
• Knox said being able to sit behind J.T. was huge for his development as a leader.
• "He's a blessing to block for."

On Michigan

• "They're real tough, they know how to control the box."
• "It's going to be a fun game."